ChompTalk.com

If the Florida Gators (15-7) want to be dancing in March, they have to be on their A-game every time they take the court.

On Saturday evening, their best was not enough as they fell just short to SEC rivals Texas A&M (13-8) 67-66.

The Gators came out the gate firing on all cylinders, and were especially hot from beyond the arc in the games first half, eventually taking a six-point lead into the half.

Much of the Gators’ first half success can be attributed to senior guard Zion Pullin, who led the team with 18 points in the matchup.

However, the second half was a completely different story. The Gators, who led by as much as 13 at one point, were ice cold from the field, while the Aggies began picking up steam.

The comeback was led by Texas A&M’s senior guard Tyree Radford, who put up 26 points while uber-efficient from the field, shooting 10-16.

The game came down to the wire, where Radford hit a go-ahead jumper with 35 seconds remaining to give the Aggies a one-point lead.

With one shot at the win, the Gators put the ball in the hands of junior guard Walter Clayton Jr., who missed a potential game-winning jumper.

However, sophomore guard Riley Kugel grabbed the offensive rebound, and dished it out to Pullin, who’s three-point attempt hit the front of the rim.

In the ensuing struggle, Texas A&M sophomore forward Solomon Washington ended up with the ball, capturing the victory as time expired.

The Gators now fall to 5-4 in conference play and now must recover after their four game win streak was snapped. Meanwhile, Texas A&M now sit at 4-4 in SEC play.

Todd Golden’s Gators have a week to figure out how to improve as they will head back to Gainesville to face the No. 16 Auburn Tigers at the O’Connell Center.